Waistband with frictional means

ABSTRACT

Textile fabric provided with an outstanding continuous ridge comprising lays of rubber thread which are superimposed on one another, the respective lays each being disposed as a sine wave of the same frequency to assume a mutually intersecting relation and the lays being anchored to the fabric by stitches of conventional, relatively non-elastic yarn.

United States Patent [191 Miller Dec. 18, 1973 [54] WAISTBAND WITHFRICTION/AL MEANS 1,273,156 7/1918 De Voe 112/132 [75] In entor: SamuelE. M ller, w nnetka, m 2,631,294 3/1953 Seaman 112/132 X [73] Assignee:QST Industries, Inc., Chicago, 111. primary Hampton Hunter Dec. 11,Attorney-Leonard S. KHOX 21 A 1. No.: 314 223 1 pp 57 ABSTRACT 52 U.S.C1. 2/236 Textile fabric Pmvided with manding 51 lm. C1. A4lf 9/00 Ousridge cmprising lays of rubber thread which are 58 Field of Search2/236, 237, 224, superimposed on one amber the respemive lays each2/233; 112/262 132 133, 134, 135 being disposed as a sine wave of thesame frequency to assume a mutually intersecting relation and the lays 5References Cited being anchored to the fabric by stitches of conven-UNITED STATES PATENTS tional, relatively non-elastic yarn.

3,052,890 9/1962 Miller 2/236 6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures WAISTBAND WITHFRICTIONAL MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates toimprovements in the waistband having frictional means disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,052,890.

The frictional ridge disclosed in said patent utilized a rubber threadwhich was formed into convoluted loops as one thread of a double-lockstitch, with the tension so controlled as to confine the rubber to oneface of the base fabric. When using that construction, the productionrate left much to be desired, principally for the reason that passage ofthe rubber through the looper involved problems of feeding tension andfriction.

The present invention avoids these problems since the rubber threadscomprising the ridge are laid on the base fabric by means of feedingfingers which have considerably less friction and cause no perceptiblemisbehavior of the thread due to tension effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements inwaistbands for articles of wearing apparel as, for example, trousers andskirts. In particular, it has reference to a frictional element on theinside of the waistband having as its main purpose the retention of thetail portion ofa skirt, blouse, or the like where the same is tuckedinto the nether, overlapping garment. In turn, the frictional mutualengagement results in a degree of support for the trousers or skirt.

The principal object of the invention is to provide, on the interiorsurface of a waistband of the general character mentioned, one or more,preferably continuous ridges of thread which is comparatively resilient,each ridge comprising lays of rubber, each formed into sinusoidalconfiguration and the lays being disposed one on top of the other. Theridge or ridges are disposed entirely on the interior face of thewaistband to present to the shirt or blouse, a somewhat narrow orrestricted area of contact of highly frictional character.

Another object is to provide frictional means in accordance with theforegoing which may be incorporated with the waistband duringconventional, production type sewing in an economical and reliablemanner.

A further object is to provide frictional means of the characteraforesaid which, although disposed on only one face of the fabric of thewaistband, is non-ravelling, so that if, during wear, cleaning, orlaundering, a portion of the rubber threads is injured or broken, theremainder thereof will continue unaffected in function.

An additional object resides in providing frictional means as aforesaidwhich utilizes so-called cut rubber, either natural or synthetic, whichwill present, as active portions thereof, a plurality of comparativelysharp corners, thereby to enhance the gripping action thereof.

The invention does not comprehend an elastic waistband per se, that is,one which is longitudinally extensible. However, the principles of theinvention may also be incorporated with a waistband of that generalclass. Neither does the invention comprehend the incorporation of thefrictional elements of the invention by weaving in a manner such thatthe rubber is included as warp threads woven into a conventional textilefabric whereby bights of rubber are caused to protrude from the basefabric. Nor does the invention comprehend the inclusion of thefrictional means as stitches or loops of rubber penetrating a basefabric.

Broadly regarded, the invention comprehends the combination, with astrip of material forming the waistband, or a component thereof, of asuperficial ridge, or a plurality of ridges, of a thread ofcomparatively resilient, frictional material such as natural rubber(latex) or synthetic rubber such as neoprene, applied to the interiorsurface of the waistband, as worn, in superimposed lays, each of whichis sinusoidal and of the same frequency and preferably of the sameamplitude. For esthetic reasons the respective amplitudes may differ.

In order to present a plurality of discrete protuberances to theadjacent garment, e.g., a shirt or blouse, for optimum gripping action,it is preferred to utilize so-called cut rubber which is obtainablecommercially as a continuous length on a bobbin or spool, and which isrectangular in cross-section, e.g., square. Other polygonalcross-sectional configurations are suitable so long as there isdesirably presented a plurality of relatively sharp corners. In practiceI prefer to use a square cross section since the same is readilyavailable commercially. Obviously, as the number of sides of the polygonis increased the included angle of the corners is increased and thegripping action is proportionately decreased. Rubber having acontinuously curved periphery may be used but the desired frictionalfunction is not as beneficial. I exclude those rubber yarns whichconsist of a circular rubber core covered with a textile yarn, whetherhelically wound, knitted, braided, netted, or otherwise applied, sinceit has been found that, in general, the coefficient of friction of theraw rubber and the presentation of a multiplicity of sharp corners isappreciably in excess of the gripping action of the just-mentionedcomposite threads of rubber and ordinary textile fibers.

Where, in the description and claims, I employ the word rubber I intendto encompass both natural and synthetic rubber, as well as othermaterials of a rubberlike character, which possess substantialresiliency, i.e., rebound, together with a friction surface, and yet aresufficiently flexible to allow the ready formation thereof into thedesired sinusoidal configuration. For details of physical properties ofsuch natural and synthetic rubber stocks capable of using in carryingout the invention, reference is made to Handbook of Chemistry andPhysics, Chemical Rubber Publishing Co., Cleveland, Ohio, 41st ed., pp.1552-4.

For most purposes a single continuous ridge longitudinally of thewaistband is acceptable but some manufacturers and stylists may prefer aplurality of ridges.

Waistband material for wearing apparel in general consists of a wovenfabric cut into strips from a bolt of raw material which has been cut onthe bias. The waistband material also generally includes two or moresuperimposed layers of strips of fabric of a number and characterdictated by the style and end use of the garment, assembled by anyconventional stitching method and supplied to the garment maker inrolls, although the invention may be embodied in a single layer of suchbase fabric. It is to be understood that the constituents of thewaistband, per se, forms no part of the invention;

and it may be stated, also, that such material is not noticeablystretchable in the direction ,of its length. However, it may possesslimited stretch as is the case with mens and womens knit fabrics. Thefrictional means of the invention may be incorporated with the waistbandmaterial at the same time as the several layers thereof are sewntogether, or such means may be incorporated thereafter at the pleasureof the manufacturer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 shows, in somewhat magnifiedform, aside view of the frictional means of the invention incorporatedwith a strip of material forming part of the waistband assembly of anarticle of wearing apparel;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but as seen from the opposite face ofthe fabric;

FIG. 3 is a view of the frictional ridge as seen from the edge of thebase fabric, the latter being shown in cross section;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 but expanded in a verticalsense to illustrate the geometry of the several elements;

FIG. 5 is a cross section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a cross section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to the drawing, Ihave shown, by way of example, a base fabric, e.g., a piece of waistbandmaterial 10, as previously described, and which, for simplicity andclarity of exposition, is illustrated as a single thickness. Lengthwiseof the material there is provided ridge 11 comprising at least tworubber threads 14, 14a of the type previously mentioned, e.g.,polychloroprene (neoprene) of square cross-section, which are laid insinusoidal form i.e., the curve corresponding to simple harmonic motion.The threads are superimposed on each other in mutually intersectingrelation, to constitute an appreciable ridge upon and outstanding from,the face of the base fabric. Since the rubber threads will be fed to thesewing station without any deliberate effort to control the tendency ofthe thread to twist on its axis, the threads will be presented to theadjacent garment as a plurality of discrete, sharp-corneredprotuberances with greatly enhanced frictional effect. The basicallyhigh coefficient of friction of the rubber and its inherent resiliencysupplements the engagement.

The desired lay of the rubber threads is obtained by feeding the samethrough the eye of individual fingers which are reciprocatedtransversely of the direction of feed in an alternated sequence prior toanchoring the resulting serpentine lays to the base fabric. It will beunderstood that the rubber threads do not participate in astitch-forming operation, and, therefore, are not subject to thedifficulties of feeding a filament to be part of a sewing-machinestitch. As a consequence, the speed of production is substantiallygreater than is the case with other methods wherein the rubber isincorporated with the base fabric as part of a stitch, e.g., as in mysaid US. Pat. No. 3,052,890.

Concurrently, immediately following positioning of the lays 14, 140,they are anchored to the base fabric by a row of conventional stitches15 of suitable comparatively non-elastic yarn, e.g., cotton or nylon.However, in the case of a stretch type of waistband as used in a garmentmade of knit fabric, the stitches anchoring the lays of rubber are soconstituted as not to detract from such stretch characteristic. Further,the anchoring yarn itself may have greater yield than is the case with anon-stretch waistband.

As noted heretofore, it is not necessary that the base fabric beextensible longitudinally to any appreciable degree and, therefore, theanchoring stitches 15 need not themselves be elastic.

One mode of achieving the desired construction is to utilize a sewingmachine capable of forming a double lock stitch, as showndiagrammatically in FIG. 4. This figure is not to be regarded as a truerepresentation but is included simply to assist in understanding theinvention. Various other stitch formations, such as a chain stitch orsingle lock stitch, may be availed of, except that the double lockstitch is readily run on machines presently available, and has theimportant advantage of being non-ravelling.

Even though FIG. 1 shows the anchoring loops exemplificatively as asingle thread the same may, obviously, be in multiple.

One of the important characteristics of the invention is that the ridgecomprised of rubber threads is of comparatively small area and notconstrictive in a longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the flesh of thewearer is not subjected to pressure as is the case with elasticwasitbands presently available which frequently result in wheals. Inthis connection I have found that the shirt, blouse, or other garmentwhich is tucked into the lower garment may be satisfactorily preventedfrom sliding or working upwardly by the use of the invention provided,of course, that the waistband is properly fitted to the wearer. However,even in those cases where the waist band is a poor fit and is thengathered, for example, by a male drawing his belt more tightly, thebeneficial effect of the invention may still be obtained in considerablemeasure. Stated otherwise, I do not rely upon constriction in acircumferential direction to obtain an adequate degree of frictionalretention.

I claim:

1. A waistband for incorporation with an article of apparel to provideimplemented frictional engagement of the article with another article ofapparel worn in overlapping relation therewith comprising a flat-lyingbase fabric having an outstanding ridge comprising unstressed lays ofrubber thread, each lay being arranged in a sinusoidal configuration,the frequency of the sinusoid of each lay being the same and theamplitude of each lay being constant, the several lays being disposed insuperimposed, mutually-intersecting relation, said ridge being disposedentirely on that face of the base fabric to be positioned adjacent saidother article ofapparel, and a non-elastic thread formed into bightspassing through the base fabric and around the lays to anchor the sameto the base fabric.

2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein the bights areconstituted by lock stitching.

3. The combination in accordance with claim I wherein the bights of theanchoring thread pass over the lays at their points of intersection.

4. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein the rubber threadis of polygonal cross section.

5. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rubber threadis of quadrilateral cross section.

6. The combination in accordance with claim 1 in which the rubber threadis synthetic.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, DatedDecember 18,

Inventor-( Samuel E.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line v27, "skirt" should read shirt line 38, after "other"insert and intersecting at their respective nodes Column 2, line R5,'using should read use line L 9, after "ridge" insert of I two or more 7lays v I Signed and sealed this 30th day 51' April 19m.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD l-T.FLETCHER,JR-. 1 C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting OfficerCommissioner of Patents 'ORM PC4050 (10-69)

1. A waistband for incorporation with an article of apparel to provideimplemented frictional engagement of the article with another article ofapparel worn in overlapping relation therewith comprising a flat-lyingbase fabric having an outstanding ridge comprising unstressed lays ofrubber thread, each lay being arranged in a sinusoidal configuration,the frequency of the sinusoid of each lay being the same and theamplitude of each lay being constant, the several lays being disposed insuperimposed, mutually-intersecting relation, said ridge being disposedentirely on that face of the base fabric to be positioned adjacent saidother article of apparel, and a non-elastic thread formed into bightspassing through the base fabric and around the lays to anchor the sameto the base fabric.
 2. The combination in accordance with claim 1wherein the bights are constituted by lock stitching.
 3. The combinationin accordance with claim 1 wherein the bights of the anchoring threadpass over the lays at their points of intersection.
 4. The combinationin accordance with claim 1 wherein the rubber thread is of polygonalcross section.
 5. The combination in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid rubber thread is of quadrilateral cross section.
 6. The combinationin accordance with claim 1 in which the rubber thread is synthetic.